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Tuesday, 16 February 2016

Venture Buses

Those of a certain age who live in, or frequent, the DerwentValley will remember a grand old bus
company by the name of Venture Transport. They were once major players in the
public transport industry, and have actually made a mini-comeback of late, to
the delight of many.

In the early days of motorised road travel - the immediate
post-WWI era - many dozens (hundreds?) of independent bus companies battled for
the custom of a populace who didn’t own very many cars between them. And
Venture Transport, who were based in Consett and ran services around and about
the Co.Durham town, were at one time the biggest concern of their kind in the
North-East. With a pool of vehicles hovering around the 80-90 mark, for many
years they played a very important role in the lives of a great number of
people.

Launched shortly after the First World War, they expanded
further after amalgamation with Robson Bros and Reed Bros in the 1930s, by
which time their distinctive yellow, maroon and cream livery had become
well-known. Operating out of Consett, the company maintained depots at High
Spen and Blackhill, and, in time, integrated its services with the United and
Northern bus companies, whilst remaining independent.

As the market tightened and the private car industry boomed,
Venture experimented with the car sales, hire and servicing industry - and it
also provided tours and excursions. In
time, though, things got a little too tight, and in 1970 it was eventually
swallowed up by the giant that was the Northern General Transport Company -
though its fleet still extended to an impressive 86 buses and coaches, and
many vehicles maintained the distinctive ‘look’ for some time thereafter.

Though the Venture name disappeared from our streets for a
time, Go-Ahead Northern revived the name shortly after deregulation in 1986;
then relaunched it yet again recently by way of a network of services between
and around Consett and Stanley. So, once again, the familiar colours of the
Venture buses grace the roads of the North-East - if in slightly fewer numbers.

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